Jackson Carlaw’s New Year message

“New Year is always a time for peering into the near future, for taking a deep breath before we embark on a new road.

“There is no getting away from the fact that, as we look ahead at 2019 and our departure from the EU, the path we’re about to take is hard to make out.

“And it’s only a statement of the obvious to say that there are many views across the country about how best to travel.

“For many of those people who, in 2016, supported a new future for Britain outside the European Union, this is exciting and liberating moment and offers the promise of something better.

“But for those who wanted to stay, many are understandably uncertain and nervous, angry even. That is the nature of changing times.

“The next few weeks will be a momentous moment in our country’s history – and none of us can predict exactly how it is going to turn out. But as we go through this period, I believe that we all have good cause to do so with a well-grounded optimism in our future.

“Beneath the hue and cry of Brexit, there is so much to welcome across Britain.

“More people are in work this New Year than at any time in our recent history. Our most important social institution, the NHS, can look forward to a funding boost to put it on a firm footing. The things that we value as a country remain strong.

“And with Brexit being delivered, there is a real chance that this year, Scotland can put a decade of disruption behind us.

“So, despite the uncertainty, I believe we can look forward to a bright year ahead.

“Lastly, I’d like to use this opportunity to thank all the emergency services who have been on call over the holiday season. And I’d like to wish everyone a very happy new year and all the best for 2019.”